5 things to know about the Arkansas election

Tuesday

Nov 6, 2012 at 8:57 AMNov 6, 2012 at 8:58 AM

Here are five things to look for during Election Day in Arkansas:

Associated Press

1. CASINO QUESTIONS

They'll be on the ballot, but two initiatives to authorize casinos at various locations in Arkansas don't mean anything. The state Supreme Court has directed that no votes be counted on them due to various flaws in their development. Votes will be counted in Issues 1, 2 and 5 — a highway sales tax, bonding authority for local governments and medical marijuana.

2. MOST VOTES, NOT A WINNER?

A court hearing was set Tuesday on whether to count votes in the State House 50 race, which features former Rep. Hudson Hallum, who resigned after pleading guilty to an election fraud conspiracy charge. Fred Smith, who gave up the seat in 2011 after a theft conviction, became eligible for the seat when the conviction was set aside and is running as the Green Party's nominee. Smith wants Hallum's votes voided before the tally begins; if Hallum outpolls Smith, the seat will be declared vacant and a special election will be held.

3. VOTER ID

Poll workers are required to ask voters to show a photo ID or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. Voters, however, are not required to present an ID before obtaining a ballot. If there is a question about whether the person requesting a ballot is who they say they are, the ballot may be set aside and counted provisionally.

4. MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Voters consider a proposal that would let people with certain medical conditions buy marijuana at nonprofit dispensaries statewide, or grow their own if they don't live near a dispensing location. If the initiative passes, Arkansas would be the first southern state to allow sales of medical marijuana. Marijuana cultivation and possession would remain illegal under federal law.

5. DEMOCRATIC DEMISE?

The last time Democrats gave up significant control of state government was when Johnson was president — that's Andrew Johnson in 1868, not Lyndon Johnson a century later. Republicans are hopeful they can control at least one chamber of the Arkansas Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction ended here in 1874. The GOP also has targeted the last remaining U.S. House seat in Democratic hands.